Bayliss to make amends at Le Mans

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After slithering out of the Spanish Grand Prix, Australian motorcycle racer Troy Bayliss is chasing lost time at Le Mans this week.

Bayliss and Ducati teammate Loris Capirossi are struggling to stay on the tails of the Hondas and Valentino Rossi's Yamaha.

Despite Bayliss's crash and a modest four points for a 12th place by Capirossi, the team believes it has made significant progress in a two-day test after the Jerez race.

Bayliss was fastest in the wet morning warm-up and was one of the quickest men on the circuit when he fell on the second lap of the rain-soaked race. He also slid out of the French GP last year, but is keen to return to a newly surfaced Le Mans circuit.

"It's really good news that they have resurfaced the place," Bayliss said. "Last year the track was slippery in the rain, and I ended up sliding out of the race . . . As far as the bike goes, we're still learning, but I reckon Le Mans is going to be better for us. The track should suit us OK and we'll be out for a good result."

Ducati team technical director Corrado Cecchinelli is confident Le Mans will suit the squad better than Jerez. "I think the new bike is already better than last year's at stop-and-go tracks like Le Mans," he said.